As all rugby fans will be well aware, the IRB Rugby World Cup is coming up in September this year.

However, this year could be different – you could be right there at the final, and with a bit of luck could be cheering your team to the Webb Ellis Cup.

The Cayman Rugby Club will be conducting a raffle with a grand prize of once in a lifetime VIP trip for two to the Rugby World Cup, including airfare, accommodation and a game package for two to the World Cup in New Zealand. The winners will arrive in Auckland on 14 October and depart on 24 October, and tickets to one semi-final and the final are included in the package.

According to Richard Adams, technical director of rugby for the Cayman Islands Rugby Football Union, the 2011 Rugby World Cup Raffle is a huge part of the CRFU’s internal fundraising and the money raised will go directly to assisting young Caymanians’ travel around the world to different tournaments and competitions.

“The Cayman Rugby Union raises and spends over half a million dollars each year on its youth rugby programmes for development, travel, tournaments, coach education, referee education and administration,” says Richard.

“The CRFU reaches over 2,000 youngsters each year whether through school, community, or youth programmes and over the past five years has assisted over 50 young people through University studying and playing rugby.”

One of the sponsors of the raffle is Jacques Scott, and Findlay Wilson of Jacques Scott is very excited about the competition.

“The prize itself is a once in a lifetime opportunity as tickets for the semis and final are impossible to get. The lucky winner will also be treated to some Heineken style hospitality during the games so no need to BYOB,” he says.

Only 3,000 tickets will be printed, and will be available for $25 per ticket, or $200 for a book of 10 tickets.
Tickets will be available for purchase from Cayman Free Press through caymanboxoffice.com or at reception, the Cayman Rugby Club at South Sound, Cayman Rugby Club players and members, Jacques Scott stores and Weststar TV Centre.

Entrants must be 18 years of age or older, must be available to travel on the advised date, and will be responsible for making their own visa arrangements.

A special early bird prize draw will take place on 1 April, including a Cayman national rugby jersey and a year’s supply of Heineken – 365 bottles.

There will also be weekly draws from 8 April to 14 May for Heineken World Cup goodie bags, with the grand prize draw taking place at the rugby club on Saturday 14 May. Apart from the grand prize, other prizes will include 1 round trip on Cayman Airways to any of their destinations, one year of free cable with HD from Weststar, and Lone Star and GNC gift certificates. 

The primary sponsors are Cayman Rugby Club, Heineken (Jacques Scott) and the Caymanian Compass.